James Orange
Encyclopedia
James Edward Orange Rev James Orange Founder and Chairman, MLK March website biography. Accessed 2008-02-17. (October 29, 1942 – February 16, 2008) was a pastor and a leading civil rights activist in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement in America
.
, but moved to Atlanta, Georgia
in the early 1960s. Orange, at over 6'3" tall and over 300 pounds, was physically impressive but deeply committed to non-violence. In his attempts to convert gang members in Chicago to adopt non-violent principles, he endured nine beatings without resistance.Civil Rights Leader Who Marched With King Dies, 2008-02-17, Reuters
newswire story. He was also known for preaching and singing in a strong baritone voice.
Orange had a large family, several of whom were active in the civil rights movement. He was the third of his parents' seven children. His father worked in the large ACIPCO foundry in Birmingham, but was fired in 1957 for union activity. Orange's mother was very active in the civil rights movement and also attended the Monday night mass meetings at the Sixteenth Street church. Still, he told an interviewer on January 15, 2000, "I was afraid to go home and tell my mamma that her daughters, one 17 and the other 14, were in jail. But that's the way it was in those days, as we waged — and won — a non-violent campaign against police clubs and police dogs."
At the time of his death in February, 2008, at Atlanta's Crawford Long Hospital, Orange was recovering from gallbladder surgery.The Rev. James Orange, 65, 'gentle giant' civil rights activist, 2008-02-17, Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Orange had had a triple heart bypass operation about six years before his death, and his health had declined over the years, despite his robust physique.Activist, Rev. James Orange, 1943-2008 2008-02-17, Atlanta Progressive News. Accessed 2008-02-17.
Orange's wife of 39 years, Cleophas, known as Cleo,Civil Rights Figure James Orange Dies, 2008-02-17, Associated Press
report in the New York Times. survived him, as did three daughters and a son. His youngest daughter, Pamela Aquica Orange, died on March 11, 2007. His daughter Jamida Orange spoke to the press on behalf of the family at the time of his death.
called Orange one of the "real soldiers of the movement ... a gentle giant." Quoted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution at Orange's death, Young said that when Orange was hired as a field organizer in the early 1960s, "He couldn't afford to go to college and was working as a chef. He quit his job and started going with us, although we were only paying $10 a week. And he never left."The Rev. James Orange, Civil Rights Activist, Dies at 65, February 17, 2008, Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
In 1962, when Orange was only a year out of high school, he attended one of the weekly Monday night mass meetings at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and was transfixed by a speech on equality by Reverend Ralph Abernathy
. In a meeting in the church basement later that night, he volunteered to risk arrest picketing a local store the next day. He was arrested, the first of at least 104 arrests for picketing or acts of civil disobedience.An interview with Rev. James Orange, by Fred Gaboury, 2000, People's Weekly World (newspaper). Accessed 2008-02-17.
As part of his civil rights work for the SCLC
in Alabama, he was arrested and jailed prior to conviction in 1965 for contributing to the delinquency
of minors by enlisting them to work in voter registration drives. James Orange, civil rights activist, dies at 65, February 17, 2008, CNN News. His detention in Perry County, Alabama
, sparked fears that he would be lynched
, and a protest march was organized to support him.
During that march on February 18, 1965, an Alabama state trooper fatally shot a young man, Jimmie Lee Jackson, in the stomach. In 2007, a former trooper named James B. Fowler
, 74, was indicted for the death of Jackson. Living witnesses and tapes of the day of the killing were expected to be used at his trial.
The 1965 uproar over Jackson's shooting during Orange's incarceration soon led to the famed Selma to Montgomery marches
, including the infamous police brutality on "Bloody Sunday", and the passage of the Voting Rights Act
later that year.
from 1965 to 1970, then later became a regional coordinator with the AFL-CIO
in Atlanta, Georgia
. He worked on at least 300 labor-organizing campaigns in that role.
In 1977, Orange worked on the organizing campaign of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union and won union representation and benefits for the workers at J.P. Stevens
textile and clothing factories. After that success, Orange was assigned to the AFL-CIO Industrial Union Department until 1996, when he joined their Atlanta field office.
In 2006, Orange worked on Cynthia McKinney
's attempt to regain her congressional seat, and appeared at the April 1, 2006 rally against the Iraq War in Atlanta.
Since 1995, Orange had served as the founder and general coordinator for the Martin Luther King, Jr.
March Committee-Africa/African American Renaissance Committee, Inc., which coordinated commemorative events honoring King and promoted commercial ties between Atlanta and other United States
locations and South Africa
.
In 2004, Orange protested the interruption of Atlanta's King commemorations due to an uninvited appearance by George W. Bush
. Secret Service agents had initially planned to force organizers to cut their agenda short to accommodate Bush, whose plans included a photo opportunity of laying a wreath in honor of King before attending a major Republican Party
fundraiser. After black leaders threatened to lock themselves into the site in question, an historic black church, the Secret Service permitted their symposium to go on, but with limited public access. Bush Plan to Honor Dr. King Stirs Criticism, January 15, 2004, New York Times. Accessed 2008-02-18.
According to a fellow activist speaking shortly after his death, "He stayed active right up until the end... The Martin Luther King celebration this year fell on the 21st[of January, 2008] . He was still conducting it from his hospital bed. If you wanted something... he was still calling the shots."
African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)
The African-American Civil Rights Movement refers to the movements in the United States aimed at outlawing racial discrimination against African Americans and restoring voting rights to them. This article covers the phase of the movement between 1955 and 1968, particularly in the South...
.
Personal life
Orange was born in Birmingham, AlabamaBirmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, but moved to Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
in the early 1960s. Orange, at over 6'3" tall and over 300 pounds, was physically impressive but deeply committed to non-violence. In his attempts to convert gang members in Chicago to adopt non-violent principles, he endured nine beatings without resistance.Civil Rights Leader Who Marched With King Dies, 2008-02-17, Reuters
Reuters
Reuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...
newswire story. He was also known for preaching and singing in a strong baritone voice.
Orange had a large family, several of whom were active in the civil rights movement. He was the third of his parents' seven children. His father worked in the large ACIPCO foundry in Birmingham, but was fired in 1957 for union activity. Orange's mother was very active in the civil rights movement and also attended the Monday night mass meetings at the Sixteenth Street church. Still, he told an interviewer on January 15, 2000, "I was afraid to go home and tell my mamma that her daughters, one 17 and the other 14, were in jail. But that's the way it was in those days, as we waged — and won — a non-violent campaign against police clubs and police dogs."
At the time of his death in February, 2008, at Atlanta's Crawford Long Hospital, Orange was recovering from gallbladder surgery.The Rev. James Orange, 65, 'gentle giant' civil rights activist, 2008-02-17, Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Orange had had a triple heart bypass operation about six years before his death, and his health had declined over the years, despite his robust physique.Activist, Rev. James Orange, 1943-2008 2008-02-17, Atlanta Progressive News. Accessed 2008-02-17.
Orange's wife of 39 years, Cleophas, known as Cleo,Civil Rights Figure James Orange Dies, 2008-02-17, Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
report in the New York Times. survived him, as did three daughters and a son. His youngest daughter, Pamela Aquica Orange, died on March 11, 2007. His daughter Jamida Orange spoke to the press on behalf of the family at the time of his death.
Civil rights era
Speaking 1993, Andrew YoungAndrew Young
Andrew Jackson Young is an American politician, diplomat, activist and pastor from Georgia. He has served as Mayor of Atlanta, a Congressman from the 5th district, and United States Ambassador to the United Nations...
called Orange one of the "real soldiers of the movement ... a gentle giant." Quoted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution at Orange's death, Young said that when Orange was hired as a field organizer in the early 1960s, "He couldn't afford to go to college and was working as a chef. He quit his job and started going with us, although we were only paying $10 a week. And he never left."The Rev. James Orange, Civil Rights Activist, Dies at 65, February 17, 2008, Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
In 1962, when Orange was only a year out of high school, he attended one of the weekly Monday night mass meetings at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and was transfixed by a speech on equality by Reverend Ralph Abernathy
Ralph Abernathy
Ralph David Abernathy, Sr. was a leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, a minister, and a close associate of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Following King's assassination, Dr. Abernathy took up the leadership of the SCLC Poor People's Campaign and...
. In a meeting in the church basement later that night, he volunteered to risk arrest picketing a local store the next day. He was arrested, the first of at least 104 arrests for picketing or acts of civil disobedience.An interview with Rev. James Orange, by Fred Gaboury, 2000, People's Weekly World (newspaper). Accessed 2008-02-17.
As part of his civil rights work for the SCLC
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is an African-American civil rights organization. SCLC was closely associated with its first president, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr...
in Alabama, he was arrested and jailed prior to conviction in 1965 for contributing to the delinquency
Juvenile delinquency
Juvenile delinquency is participation in illegal behavior by minors who fall under a statutory age limit. Most legal systems prescribe specific procedures for dealing with juveniles, such as juvenile detention centers. There are a multitude of different theories on the causes of crime, most if not...
of minors by enlisting them to work in voter registration drives. James Orange, civil rights activist, dies at 65, February 17, 2008, CNN News. His detention in Perry County, Alabama
Perry County, Alabama
Perry County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It was established in 1819, and is named in honor of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry of Rhode Island and the United States Navy. As of 2010 the population was 10,591...
, sparked fears that he would be lynched
Lynching
Lynching is an extrajudicial execution carried out by a mob, often by hanging, but also by burning at the stake or shooting, in order to punish an alleged transgressor, or to intimidate, control, or otherwise manipulate a population of people. It is related to other means of social control that...
, and a protest march was organized to support him.
During that march on February 18, 1965, an Alabama state trooper fatally shot a young man, Jimmie Lee Jackson, in the stomach. In 2007, a former trooper named James B. Fowler
James Bonard Fowler
James Bonard Fowler became a significant player in escalating the acute racial conflict that led to the Selma to Montgomery marches in the American Civil Rights Movement...
, 74, was indicted for the death of Jackson. Living witnesses and tapes of the day of the killing were expected to be used at his trial.
The 1965 uproar over Jackson's shooting during Orange's incarceration soon led to the famed Selma to Montgomery marches
Selma to Montgomery marches
The Selma to Montgomery marches were three marches in 1965 that marked the political and emotional peak of the American civil rights movement. They grew out of the voting rights movement in Selma, Alabama, launched by local African-Americans who formed the Dallas County Voters League...
, including the infamous police brutality on "Bloody Sunday", and the passage of the Voting Rights Act
Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of national legislation in the United States that outlawed discriminatory voting practices that had been responsible for the widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans in the U.S....
later that year.
Later work
Orange was a project coordinator at the Southern Christian Leadership ConferenceSouthern Christian Leadership Conference
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is an African-American civil rights organization. SCLC was closely associated with its first president, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr...
from 1965 to 1970, then later became a regional coordinator with the AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. He worked on at least 300 labor-organizing campaigns in that role.
In 1977, Orange worked on the organizing campaign of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union and won union representation and benefits for the workers at J.P. Stevens
J.P. Stevens
J.P. Stevens may refer to:*J.P. Stevens Textile Corporation, a constituent corporation of the WestPoint Home conglomerate*J.P. Stevens High School, named after the founder of the above*John Paul Stevens...
textile and clothing factories. After that success, Orange was assigned to the AFL-CIO Industrial Union Department until 1996, when he joined their Atlanta field office.
In 2006, Orange worked on Cynthia McKinney
Cynthia McKinney
Cynthia Ann McKinney is a former US Congresswoman and a member of the Green Party since 2007. As a member of the Democratic Party, she served six terms as a member of the United States House of Representatives. In 2008, the Green Party nominated McKinney for President of the United States...
's attempt to regain her congressional seat, and appeared at the April 1, 2006 rally against the Iraq War in Atlanta.
Since 1995, Orange had served as the founder and general coordinator for the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
March Committee-Africa/African American Renaissance Committee, Inc., which coordinated commemorative events honoring King and promoted commercial ties between Atlanta and other United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
locations and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
In 2004, Orange protested the interruption of Atlanta's King commemorations due to an uninvited appearance by George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. Secret Service agents had initially planned to force organizers to cut their agenda short to accommodate Bush, whose plans included a photo opportunity of laying a wreath in honor of King before attending a major Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
fundraiser. After black leaders threatened to lock themselves into the site in question, an historic black church, the Secret Service permitted their symposium to go on, but with limited public access. Bush Plan to Honor Dr. King Stirs Criticism, January 15, 2004, New York Times. Accessed 2008-02-18.
According to a fellow activist speaking shortly after his death, "He stayed active right up until the end... The Martin Luther King celebration this year fell on the 21st
See also
- List of civil rights leaders
- Jimmie Lee JacksonJimmie Lee JacksonJimmie Lee Jackson was a civil rights protestor who was shot and killed by Alabama State Trooper James Bonard Fowler in 1965. Jackson was unarmed. His death inspired the Selma to Montgomery marches, an important event in the American Civil Rights movement. He was 26 years old.-Personal...
- Southern Christian Leadership ConferenceSouthern Christian Leadership ConferenceThe Southern Christian Leadership Conference is an African-American civil rights organization. SCLC was closely associated with its first president, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr...